Work to start Sept. 6 on Belmont Road roundabout
Work is to begin Tuesday, Sept. 6, on a new $700,000 traffic
Dr. Berry leaving Fourth Baptist to lead Georgia megachurch
Dr. Emory Berry Jr. is bidding Richmond farewell after nearly six years of leading the 600-member Fourth Baptist Church in Church Hill.
Morrissey ahead in polls, but battles to keep law license
Attorney Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey appears to be riding high in his quest to become Richmond’s next mayor. But he also continues to be dogged by the sex scandal that landed him in jail in 2014 and a fresh effort to strip him of his law license. Mr. Morrissey, who was once the city’s chief prosecutor and now is a defense attorney, has emerged as the front-runner in the eight-way race to replace Mayor Dwight C. Jones, the first public poll of the race indicates.
North Side sees signs of growth, renewal
A new wave of investment is beginning to pour into Richmond’s North Side. During the next two years, private and nonprofit developers are gearing up to invest more than $50 million in new houses and apartments, mostly along 1st and 2nd avenues in Highland Park.
Woodland, Evergreen cemeteries for sale
A Richmond foundation is pursuing the purchase of two historic, but privately held African-American cemeteries, the Free Press has learned.
Superintendent starting school year with optimism, plan
If at first you don’t succeed, try again. Superintendent Dana T. Bedden is taking that familiar saying to heart when it comes to academic improvement in Richmond Public Schools.
GOP at it again
Republican leaders seek to hold Va. governor in contempt for restoring voting rights of 13,000 former felons last week
Gov. Terry McAuliffe once again is under attack from Republican leaders in the General Assembly who are determined to halt his efforts to restore the voting and political rights of hundreds of thousands of felons who have served their time. In a new filing Wednesday, GOP leaders asked the Virginia Supreme Court to hold the Democratic governor in contempt for restoring the political rights of 13,000 felons last week and for trying to do so in coming months for more than 200,000 others who have completed their sentences.
Electoral Board seeking legal decision on candidate qualification
Richmond has put a hold on printing ballots for the Nov. 8 general election while the city’s Electoral Board tries to figure out whether two candidates’ names should be listed.
Nonprofit helps students with scholarships
A Richmond area nonprofit is seeking to assist parents to obtain state scholarships to enroll children with dyslexia, autism or other learning challenges in accredited private schools.
NAACP lawsuit alleges black and disabled students bear brunt of punishment in city schools
Richmond Public Schools — dominated by African-American administrators and teachers — is being accused of fueling the “school-to-prison pipeline” through a regime of discipline that punishes mostly African-American students, particularly those with disabilities.
Petersburg facing shutdown because of money woes
Petersburg’s financial woes are even worse than previously disclosed. Interim City Manager Dironna Moore Belton warned the Petersburg City Council and a crowd of taxpayers Tuesday night that she is just a few weeks away from having to shut down all city operations except for police, fire and ambulance services because the city is running out of cash.
Education advocate back in Chesterfield court
Education advocate Kandise Lucas is once again headed back to Chesterfield County General District Court to face a charge of trespassing on school property — just two weeks after Chesterfield Schools Superintendent James F. Lane promised to lift a ban against her under an agreement with the federal government.
Undeterred
Not to be blocked by court, Gov. McAuliffe restores voting rights of 13,000 felons; creates system to help thousands more
Just a month after the Virginia Supreme Court blocked his attempt to restore the voting rights of more than 200,000 felons, Gov. Terry McAuliffe is once again charging ahead on this “issue of basic justice.”
Plans for Church Hill grocery move foward
Plans to bring a new grocery store to Church Hill are moving forward.
Maggie Walker statue clears final hurdles
The plan to create a statue of Richmond great Maggie L. Walker in Downtown has cleared its final hurdle. Now the work can begin on the project to honor Mrs. Walker, best known as the first African-American woman to charter and serve as the president of a bank, an accomplishment in 1903 when Mrs. Walker was leading the Independent Order of St. Luke, a benevolent society.
Ryland Roane, 58, AIDS educator and HIV hotline supervisor dies
Ryland Restee Roane Jr. was a pioneer in HIV/AIDS education in Central Virginia. After being diagnosed with HIV in 1987, the Richmond native devoted his life to providing information and assisting others through his work for the Richmond and state health departments. A graduate of Wake Forest University, his contributions during his 28-year career are being remembered after his death Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. He was 58.
SOL test scores decline in 4 of 5 core subjects
One big reason was cited when the Richmond School Board hired Dr. Dana T. Bedden as superintendent in December 2013 — his track record for increasing academic performance among students in the school systems he had led in Georgia and Texas.
City’s projected deficit now reported as expected surplus
City Hall has wiped out the red ink. Instead of a deficit, Richmond is projected to finish its most recent fiscal year with a $4.5 million surplus, according to the administration of Mayor Dwight C. Jones.
Petersburg facing service cutoffs from unpaid vendors
Despite paying a monthly fee, Petersburg residents might not get their trash collected or their recycling materials picked up.
Va. loses a freedom fighter
Jack W. Gravely, who led the fight for civil rights as head of the Va. NAACP, dies at 72
Jack W. Gravely was the definition of outspoken. He never hesitated to speak his mind about issues affecting the African-American community. The son of a coal miner, he led the charge for civil rights during two separate stints as executive director of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP, most recently in the past year.
Advocate’s troubles end with Chesterfield schools
Kandise Lucas apparently will be able to enter public schools in Chesterfield County without facing arrest for trespassing. The advocate for disabled students said she has been notified that she prevailed in a federal complaint challenging the school system’s ban against her that had been in place since 2011.
City seeking developers for Boulevard project
It took an extra three weeks, but City Hall is now seeking developers for the projected $350 million transformation of its Boulevard property into apartments, offices and retail space.
Richmond Christian Center now home for other churches’ services
The Richmond Christian Center, is living up to its name. After nearly four decades as an independent church, RCC’s congregation has begun sharing its South Side property with four other nondenominational churches.
Restoration rights process bogged down
Gov. Terry McAuliffe has been unable to keep his promise to swiftly restore felons’ voting rights on a case-by-case basis after the Virginia Supreme Court struck down his executive orders restoring voting rights en masse to more than 200,000 felons.
Chief: Crime up, but not out of control
There’s bad news and good news in Richmond’s crime story. First the bad news: Richmond is suffering its first spike in violent and property crimes after years of decline, according to Police Chief Alfred Durham.
New Richmond judge sworn in
With help from her brother, Christian, Mary Elizabeth Langer donned the black robe of a judge. She was formally installed last Friday as the newest judge on the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. She succeeds Judge Angela E. Roberts, who retired July 29 after 26 years on the bench.
Fight for $15
Workers to unite in city for living wage national conference
Richmond is about to become the national focal point for advocates of a $15 minimum wage. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of low-wage workers from across the country are expected to pour into the city April 12 and April 13 for the third annual Fight for $15 National Convention.
Runoff election for mayor will require dollars
Richmond might need a runoff election for mayor if none of the eight candidates wins the Nov. 8 election outright. One problem: No money has been set aside to cover the projected cost.
City School Board candidate may be impacted by court’s felon voting rights revocation
At least one Richmond candidate could be impacted by the Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling July 22 throwing out Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s recent executive orders restoring the rights of 206,000 felons to vote and run for office.
Hundreds of lives saved in the city
In Virginia, more people are dying from drug overdoes than from homicides or traffic accidents, data from state agencies show.
School Board member hosts 8th Annual Back-to-School Rally Saturday at MLK
Shonda Harris-Muhammed once again is seeking to help cash-strapped parents in Richmond ensure their children will start school in early September with the supplies they need.
Hometown welcome
Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine returns to Richmond and rally of 3,500 cheering supporters
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine made a triumphant return to Richmond, a smiling hometown hero as the Democrat’s vice presidential nominee. He was greeted with the roars of a supportive crowd Monday at Huguenot High School, where he declared, “I’m so proud of my city.”
Va. Supreme Court turns back clock on restoration of felons’ rights
David Mosby, 46, had tears in his eyes when he registered to vote for the first time in his life. That was three months ago.
City’s economic promises with NFL training camp have yet to materialize
Richmond has yet to receive a big chunk of the promised payoff from the much touted economic deal that resulted in Washington’s pro football team holding its summer training camp in the city, according to a Richmond City Council member.
National Night Out slated for Aug. 2
“National Night Out” returns next week to promote community connections and ties with law enforcement.
CVWMA expands recycling materials
Richmond residents can now recycle a greater range of bottles and food containers, the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority has announced.
GRTC seeks public’s ideas at four meetings
Imagine GRTC buses arriving every 15 minutes on major city thoroughfares such as Chamberlayne Avenue and Hull Street? That’s the idea the bus company and the City of Richmond are considering as officials ponder ways to improve public transit in Richmond.
Boulevard RFQ on hold
Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ administration has tem- porarily pulled back from seeking development teams for the redevelopment of the 60 acres of land the city owns on North Boulevard around The Diamond.
Work to continue Saturday at historic cemeteries
The work to restore historic, but neglected, Evergreen and East End cemeteries will continue this weekend, Marvin Harris, a leader in the effort, has announced.
After 26 years, Judge Roberts retiring from juvenile court
For 26 years, Judge Angela Edwards Roberts has been a presence in the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. Along with her colleagues, she has dealt with all the sad, messy issues involving individuals and families — ranging from cutody battles to stalking and domestic abuse to teens involved in bad behavior and criminal activity. She also has experienced the joy of helping create families through adoption. “The work we do is emotionally draining,” Judge Roberts said. “We see everything that goes wrong with society. People come to us when they
Richmond Public schools seeking volunteers for cleanup projects
Volunteers are being sought to carry out projects to beautify city schools next week.
Gravely resigns NAACP post
After three weeks of mulling the decision, Jack Gravely is stepping down as interim executive director of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP. He delivered his resignation Monday via email to state NAACP President Linda Thomas and other members of the executive board.
A Zika virus cure?
Research at VCU supports claims of new antiviral drug
When he first published a paper 18 months ago detailing a kind of “miracle” drug that could destroy every virus and bacteria that plagues mankind, Virginia Commonwealth University researcher Paul Dent found his work derided as too good to be true.
Foundation approves funds to preserve 2 historic cemeteries
Volunteers working to restore two overgrown andneglectedAfrican-Americancemeterieson the border between Richmond and Henrico County are getting significant state support.
Former governor eligible to receive state pension
Former Gov. Bob McDonnell is once again eligible to receive his state pension and practice law now that he is no longer a felon.
Free oral history workshop at Black History Museum
Historian Lauranett L. Lee has devoted her life to uncovering the lost stories of African-American women and men to help spotlight their contributions both locally and nationally. Now Dr. Lee wants to inspire people to preserve their own family histories to expand appreciation and knowledge of where they come from.
Judge Roger Gregory makes history again
The son of humble tobacco factory workers is about to reach a new pinnacle in his legal career. On July 9, Judge Roger L. Gregory will become the chief judge of the powerful 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond.
58: Number of candidates certified to run for mayor, City Council and School Board
Richmond voters will have plenty of choices for mayor, City Council and the School Board in the November election, when they also will be helping to elect a president, vice president and member of Congress. The three-member Richmond Electoral Board last week certified 58 candidates to run for city offices. The list would have been longer, but 15 potential candidates were disqualified for failure to meet filing requirements, the city Voter Registrar’s Office reported.
Slew of candidates translated into flood of work
The 73 candidates who filed to run for Richmond office submitted 1,835 pages of petitions with 25,060 signatures of purportedly registered voters, according to city Voter Registrar Kirk Showalter. Every one of the signatures had to be checked against the state database of registered voters to ensure they were valid, Ms. Showalter said.
Property values up in city
For the third year in a row, rising property values in Richmond will put Richmond City Council on the spot when it comes to collecting property taxes from owners of real estate.
